The wireless connectivity between the iPhone app and the light bulbs allows the user to create and personalize the color of light within each room of the home. The hue will be available exclusively in Apple stores starting on October 30. A starter kit will be available that includes three bulbs that screw into existing lamps or light sockets.

The starter kit also includes a required network bridge that plugs into the Wi-Fi router inside the home. Once the bulbs are installed and the adapter is connected to your Wi-Fi router, the bulbs are ready to be controlled. Philips says that the hue system can be set up in only a few minutes and that the system is designed to be upgradable to allow future expansion.

The bulbs can be tuned to create various shades of white light and can also create any color light you want. The system also allows the user to create light scenes for each room or specific times of the day that can be recalled in an instant. You can also use pictures that you've taken with your phone as a color palette to create lighting that is shown in the photo.

The system also supports the creation of timers to manage settings automatically and lights can be controlled remotely when not at home for security. The system also has a timer that allows you to wake to light rather than a noisy alarm clock. The app also has four preset LightRecipes that Philips says its researchers found to have beneficial effects on the body.

Jeroen de Waal, Head of Marketing & Strategy at Philips Lighting commented: “Philips hue is a game-changer in lighting – a completely new way to experience and interact with light. In the way phones, media and entertainment have been revolutionized by digital technology, now we can also personalize light and enjoy limitless applications. Philips continues to redefine the possibilities of LED technology, and hue pushes the boundaries even more, not only in offering great light quality, but in how lighting can be digitized and integrated with our world to further simplify and enhance our lives.”

They go on ebay special every now and then for much less and work well for what they do. Kids use them as nightlights.

Id like to see more cost effective LED lighting already. I have a few LED Bulbs now but if they were more cost effecting especially if competitive in the 60-70 incandescent watt area I would change the whole house. Right not using them in the kids bathroom they are rated 40watt equivalent but are white light so I would rate them closer to 50 watt. Never have to worry about them shattering and the mercury. Takes a little time to get used to but you adjust and accept them over time.

"Nowadays, security guys break the Mac every single day. Every single day, they come out with a total exploit, your machine can be taken over totally. I dare anybody to do that once a month on the Windows machine." -- Bill Gates